NBA legend Paul Pierce has drawn an interesting comparison between Jimmy Butler and a star player on the Indiana Pacers.
Butler is known to be one of the smartest players in the league and often shows off with his best performances in the playoffs.
The Golden State Warriors player averages 18.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG and 4.3 APG in regular season games throughout his career, this number increases to 21.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG and 4.6 APG in the playoffs.
Pierce who won a championship during his time with the Boston Celtics was previewing Milwaukee Bucks’ first round matchup against the Indiana Pacers when he mentioned Jimmy Butler‘s name in the conversation while talking about Tyrese Haliburton.
The point guard has not had the best of seasons this time around, but if last year was any proof, the Pacers guard could wreak havoc on the Bucks and he is backed by Pierce.
Pierce stated Haliburton elevates during the postseason and he shoots more, which is something similar to a player like Butler.
Last season he led the Pacers to their first Eastern Conference Finals trip after ten years.
Haliburton averaged 18.7 PPG and 8.2 APG throughout the run and put on some big displays especially in the second round series against the New York Knicks.
Speaking on Haliburton and his increased production in the playoffs, Pierce said: “I like what I be seeing from him in the playoffs, he usually step his game up, he be like a different player in the playoffs. “He more aggressive, he shoot the ball a little more to where I think during the season he more passive. He like Jimmy Butler to some extent as far as like his production.”
Pierce revealed the Bucks would find it tough to match the aggressiveness of Haliburton in the playoffs – a problem they failed to tackle even in the first round series last year.
“When I seen him vs Knicks, he stepped up like his scoring. He more aggressive, so I think his aggressiveness is going to stifle the Bucks and they don’t got no answer for him.”
Last year, the Pacers were able to secure some dominant wins over the Milwaukee Bucks in the regular season and playoffs, one of the key reasons behind that was Haliburton.
In the first round series, he was not at his efficient best, but he put on complete displays to help his team over the line.
With Damian Lillard expected to be slowly brought back into the lineup after his injury, the Pacers have an advantage.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing the role of the ball handler at times for the Bucks, a role he is not very familiar with.
Haliburton on the other hand is one of the best point guards in the league and has showcased stellar performances in the playoffs.
He had a slow start to the year, but has picked his game in the second half of the season.
With the Pacers headed into the first round series against the Bucks, they will be hoping to get the best from Haliburton as him slowing down could kill their chances.
